Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-03-23
Chamber of Commerce.
THE MERCHANTS, LICENSE TAXA GRAIN
ELEVATOR.

THE MERCHANTS, LICENSE TAXA GRAIN
ELEVATOR.
The Chamber of Commerce was in session o.
the night of the 18th instant, Mr.. P. B. Sublet
in the Chair.
The Committee on Commerce, having pre-
vIously had under consideration the subject {
taxation as it will be affected by recent deci
sion of the Supreme Court of the United States
A. G. Gordon, Esq, from that Committee, re
ported the following preamble and resolution
which, after an Interchange of views by severa
members and slight notifications made, wer
unanimously adopted
Whereas, in his recent letter to the Genera
Assembly now in session, the Governor OF Tn
Commonwealth, after recittng the result Of tn
late decision Of the Supreme Court OF the mi
ted States in the case OF the sample merchants
tax. says: 1T should be the duty OF the Leg1s
lature to give every protection to citizens o
Virginia. SO as to prevent competition on un
equal terms between our home merchants ant
anufacturers and those who pay no taxes t.
the support of the State government" and
Whereas, said decision of the supreme Cour
must necessarily work great hardship and los
to the home merchant and q corresponding ad
vantage and profit to the non resident inner
chant under q continuance of the existing Sys
tenn of taxation; and
Whereas. it is a simple act Of right and jus
tioe to her citizens that the protection suggest
ed by the Governor should be promptly accord
cd by the Legislat ure of Virginia, and
Whereas, in the opinion of the Chamber. thu
present system of taxing merchants, especiall,
In the light of said decision Of the Suprem
taxation based on the actual amount of thu
merchants capital invested would be just anc
First, Because the present system gives ali
the advantage 1u competition to the non-res1
dent merchant who pays no taxes to the sup
port Of our State Government, and who. II
some states at least possesses the ad ditional ad
vantage OF having to pay no license-tax to his
own State government; and
system of taxing purchases by the merchant IL
to lay burden upon the individual energy
and enterprise which would industriOusly ano
sagac1ously turn over invested capital at fire.
quent intervals; while a tax based on the CAPT
tai invested in trade wonld strongly encourage
such energy and enterprise; and
Third, Because the taxes assessed against 9th
or citizens, except in cases where specific IL
censes at fixed rates are issued, is based upon
tho value Of the property taxed, or the amount
OF capital invested and no one class of citizens
should bear an unproportionate share In the
burden OF taxation, as Is the consequence OF the
present system OF taxing merchants; and
Whereas, it appears to this Chamber that this
is proper Time to obtain from the Legislature
a change in the said system Of taxation
Therefore be it resolUsd, LIST. That it is the epin
ion of the Chamber Of Commerce Of Staunton
that the present system of taxing merchants
on the basis of their purchases should, by the
Legislature at its present session, be substftut'
ed by a system Of taxation based upon the 90
tual amount OF capital invested III trade by The
merchant.
y 6CLlF6
the Chambers of Commerce, and Boards OF
Trade, and merchants generally, throughout
the State. In urging upon the General Assem-
bly, the necessity OF such legislation during Its
present session.
The Secretary was directed to have the pro-
ceedings printed and copies furnished tbs
Chambers Of Commerce and Boards Of Trade in
Virginia. requesting their cooperation in the
objects presented for their consideration, and
also to pr esent the same to the Senator and
and members of the House of Delegates repre-
ssnting this city and the county of Augusta.
Mr.. J. W. Todd called the attention of the
Chamber to the Importance of erecting . grain
elevator in this city, and moved that the Com
mittee on Commerce be instructed to investi-
gate the matter and report as early as prac-
ticable. Tho resolution was adopted, and
subsequently Mr.. Todd was added to the Com
mittee for this specific service.
The meeting of the Chamber was one of the
largest which has been held for several months.
This is a fine representativ body OF the busi-
ness interests of Staunton, and in its delibera-
lions is gradually demonstrating the value OF
united purpose and concert of action. It num-
bers over fifty members, and nearly all were
present.
Keep the bowels regular by the uso of DR..
BULBS Baltimore Pills and you will avoid dys-
pepsa
Days Horse Powder given to cows will IN
crease the flow Of milk from 10 to 20 per cent.
Babies are too precious to be permitte to
suffer with collie. DR.. Bulls Baby ,Syrup will
cure them.
Sweet and permanent, Drexel's Bell Cologne.